Pericles Prince of Tyre II.i

PERICLES1 Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!2 Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man3 Is but a substance that must yield to you;4 And I, as fits my nature, do obey you:5 Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks,6 Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath7 Nothing to think on but ensuing death:8 Let it suffice the greatness of your powers9 To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;10 And having thrown him from your watery grave,11 Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave.Enter three FISHERMEN

First Fisherman16 Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll17 fetch thee with a wanion.

Third Fisherman18 Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that19 were cast away before us even now.

First Fisherman20 Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what21 pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when,22 well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves.

Third Fisherman23 Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the24 porpus how he bounced and tumbled? they say25 they're half fish, half flesh: a plague on them,26 they ne'er come but I look to be washed. Master, I27 marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

First Fisherman28 Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the29compare our rich misers to30 nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and31 tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at32 last devours them all at a mouthful: such whales33 have I heard on o' the land, who never leave gaping34 till they've swallowed the whole parish, church,35 steeple, bells, and all.

Third Fisherman40 Because he should have swallowed me too: and when I41 had been in his belly, I would have kept such a42 jangling of the bells, that he should never have43 left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and44 parish up again. But if the good King Simonides45 were of my mind,--

Third Fisherman47 We would purge the land of these drones, that rob48 the bee of her honey.

PERICLES49Aside How from the finny subject of the sea50 These fishers tell the infirmities of men;51 And from their watery empire recollect52 All that may men detect!53 Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.

PERICLES71 What I have been I have forgot to know;72 But what I am, want teaches me to think on:73 A man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill,74 And have no more of life than may suffice75 To give my tongue that ask your help;76 Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,77 For that I am a man, pray see me buried.

PERICLES102 He is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects103 the name of good by his far is his104 court distant from this shore?

First Fisherman105 Marry, sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell106 you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her107 birth-day; and there are princes and knights come108 from all parts of the world to just and tourney for her love.

PERICLES109 Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish110 to make one there.

First Fisherman111 O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man112 cannot get, he may lawfully deal for--his wife's soul.Re-enter Second and Third Fishermen, drawing up a net

Second Fisherman113 Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net,114 like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly115 come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and116 'tis turned to a rusty armour.

PERICLES117 An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.118 Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses,119 Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;120 And though it was mine own, part of my heritage,121 Which my dead father did bequeath to me.122 With this strict charge, even as he left his life,123 'Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield124 Twixt me and death;'--and pointed to this brace;--125 'For that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity--126 The which the gods protect thee from!--may127defend thee.'128 It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it;129 Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,130 Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again:131 I thank thee for't: my shipwreck now's no ill,132 Since I have here my father's gift in's will.

PERICLES134 To beg of you, worth,135 For it was sometime target to a king;136 I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,137 And for his sake I having of it;138 And that you'ld guide me to your sovereign's court,139 Where with it I may appear a gentleman;140 And if that ever my low fortune's better,141 I'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor.

Second Fisherman145 Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up146 this garment through the rough seams of the waters:147 there are certain condolements, certain vails. I148 hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from149 whence you had it.

PERICLES150 Believe 't, I will.151 By your furtherance I am clothed in steel;152 And, spite of all the rapture of the sea,153 This jewel holds his building on my arm:154 Unto thy value I will mount myself155 Upon a courser, whose delightful steps156 Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.157 Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided158 Of a pair of bases.

Second Fisherman159 We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to160 make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself.

PERICLES161 Then honour be but a goal to my will,162 This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill.Exeunt